The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat crew was called out on Friday evening to reports of a vessel in difficulty off the Tipperary shore of the lake.
Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue coordination centre on Valentia Island in Kerry paged RNLI volunteers based at Dromineer and tasked them to and incident involving an18ft speed boat with one person on board.
The vessel was reported to have suffered engine failure at Parker’s Point, southwest of Garrykennedy. The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat launched at 5:54pm and located the vessel within minutes.
A passing cruiser had taken the casualty vessel under an alongside tow to prevent them being pushed on to the rocky shore as their anchor was dragging. The skipper of the casualty vessel was safe and unharmed and wearing their lifejacket.
The RNLI helm spoke to the skipper of the assisting vessel, who was happy to continue the tow to the safest close harbour at Garrykennedy.
The lifeboat informed Valentia Coast Guard Radio of the plan to accompany both vessels to Garrykennedy, where the lifeboat would take over the tow through the narrow channel into the harbour.
The assisting vessel was thanked and continued its passage north. The casualty vessel was safely tied alongside at 6:38pm.
At 6:43pm the lifeboat departed the scene and was back at station at 6:54pm. The lifeboat was washed down, refuelled and ready for service by 7:05pm.
Commenting on the callout, Aoife Kennedy, Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI said: ‘As the boating season has begun in earnest, we would remind boat users to ensure your vessel and engine are serviced. If you get into difficulty or see somebody else in trouble on the water, dial 999 or 112 or use VHF radio Channel 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.’